Kerala Chief Minister V D Sathisan on Wednesday said the state would order a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the mudslide in Wayanad district that killed at least three people and left five others missing on Tuesday, even as he ordered construction on the Wayanad twin tunnel project to be halted, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Sathisan also visited the site at Kalady along with MLA Kalpetta, Agriculture Minister T Siddique and Revenue Minister Anil Kumar. He added: “Five people are still missing. Rescue work is very risky due to the rain. Tonight, rescue personnel will begin searches in a new area of the damaged site. Searches will also be conducted in the Meenakshi River and the banks of the adjacent river in search of victims who may have been swept away by the water.” He also visited relief camps and met the ten survivors who were hospitalized
The Prime Minister said the decision to conduct the investigation was taken at a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day.
The accident occurred early Tuesday after construction debris piled up during tunnel excavation at a nearby site on the Mebadi side, destabilized amid heavy rain and slid down, sweeping away several temporary shelters housing construction workers on the double tunnel, a house and a church.
“The technical and legal factors of the issue will be evaluated. There are some reports that the landslide occurred in an area above the damaged site. It will be investigated,” he told reporters, referring to a statement made by Sebastian, Managing Director of Dilip Buildcon Ltd, to local media on Tuesday.
Sebastian claimed that the landslide started on land owned by the forest department, about 10-12 meters above the accumulated debris.. He added: “The wreckage was properly stabilized and covered, as part of the tunnel excavation work. In the pictures taken before the disaster struck, it is clear that there is no debris above it. The landslide occurred in the ground above the wreckage where we have no authority to do anything.”
Sathisan said the investigation would try to ascertain whether the contractors followed the central guidelines for tunnel construction.
“The Union government has laid down strict conditions to be followed during the construction of the tunnel while granting environmental clearance. It will be investigated whether the contractors followed the guidelines. Work on the tunnel will be resumed only after examining the risk factors,” he added.
The district administration and Disaster Management Authority accused the company of failing to remove the debris despite being directed to do so as early as June 20.
Meanwhile, the state government announced a donation from $5 lakh to the families of each of the deceased. He added that the hospital bills of the injured would also be covered. The bodies of the three migrant workers whose deaths have been confirmed so far will be transported to their home states soon, Sathisan said, adding that he spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over phone and the latter promised full assistance from the Centre.
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission on Wednesday also ordered an investigation into allegations of negligence surrounding the incident. KSHRC judicial member K Byjunath directed the district collector and supervising engineer of public works (roads) to conduct the investigation and submit a report within 15 days.
The committee said the issue will be considered at a session held at Bathery City Council on August 14.
